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EssentialsLanguage0–11 months · 12–23 months · 2 yearsAbout 1 min

Talk, pause and sing together

Everyday conversations begin long before the first word.

Your voice gives your baby opportunities to listen and respond. Talk about what they are looking at instead of testing them with questions. You can repeat their sounds and add a simple word. Familiar songs offer repetition and shared enjoyment; they do not need to be performed perfectly. Use the language or languages that feel natural in your family.

You can try

  1. Name one thing your child notices: ‘A ball!’
  2. Wait for a look, gesture or sound before speaking again.
  3. Sing a short favourite song and pause for their response.
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